Apr 19, 2024  
2022-2023 General Catalog 
    
2022-2023 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Early Childhood Development Concentration


Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Students apply their understanding of child development theories and research to effectively promote child growth, health, and learning in ways that are equitable and socially just.
  2. Students analyze and reflect on components for building just and reciprocal family and community relationships in their work with young children.
  3. Students practice ethical assessment that is developmentally appropriate, culturally sustaining, and linguistically responsive to support the positive growth and development of children; they communicate these findings effectively and professionally.
  4. Students analyze and reflect on developmentally appropriate, culturally and linguistically sustaining, and socially just practices that promote and protect the development and health of children and their families.  These practices align with professional standards in fields such as social work, mental health, child life, and early care and education.
  5. Students exhibit the following knowledge, skills, and dispositions: understanding and upholding ethical, equitable, and professional standards; engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice; accessing professional resources; integrating informed and critical perspectives into their work with young children; and engaging in informed advocacy to promote anti-racist and just practices in programs that serve young children and their families.
  6. Students observe and practice their developing skills in different kinds of programs that support children and families.

Program Road Maps


Sample Four-Year Program


Early Childhood Development, B.A.


The Four year Plan is a sample study plan. The sequence and specific courses given are suggestive; please track your progress using the Academic Requirements Report (ARR) in your MySSU Account, and see an advisor each semester to plan your personal program.

Courses may be interchanged fall and spring semester depending on course offering each semester.

We strongly recommend that you take a second-year experience course.  Some meet a GE area, or they can count as a university elective.  ECS students especially like EDEC 160, which is a university elective.

* We strongly recommend that you take EDEC 160A and EDEC 160B, the First-Year Learning Community (FLC) for Early Childhood Studies.  Other FLCs may be taken; please check your ARR and work with an advisor to determine how another FLC changes your progress in the General Education program.

†Lower Division GE Courses may be taken in any order.  However, the following two conditions must be met:  GE Areas A2 and B4 must be completed in the first year, and GE Areas A1 and A3 must be completed by the end of the second year.

‡Upper division GE courses may be taken in any order after you attain 45 units towards the degree. 

§Upper division courses in the major may be taken in any order, except that EDEC 478 should be taken in the same semester that you graduate.

Transfer Students:

Work with an advisor to understand how your courses transfer into the major.  If you are missing lower division requirements in the major, make those a priority before enrolling in upper division major requirements.

Freshman Year: 30 Units

Spring Semester (16 Units)

Sophomore Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (14 Units)

Spring Semester (16 Units)

Junior Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (15 Units)

Spring Semester (15 Units)

Senior Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (14 Units)

Spring Semester (16 Units)

  • Unit(s): 1
  • §Major Elective 2 Credits / Units: 3
  • University Elective Credits / Units: 4
  • University Elective Credits / Units: 4
  • University Elective Credits / Units: 4
Total Units: 120